WASHINGTON, April 30, 2014 – The American Petroleum Institute announced today veteran Democratic policy strategist Louis Finkel will lead the oil and natural gas industry association’s government relations efforts, becoming effective May 27.

“Louis brings a unique mix of strategic vision, tactical experience and campaign management to lead our industry’s advocacy efforts at the federal, state and local level,” said API President and CEO Jack Gerard. “This is an important role and we will rely on Louis to guide our outreach on an increasingly organic and local level, participating in conversations and advocacy in communities and audiences far outside the traditional oil patch.”

As API’s second-in-command, the executive vice president for government relations heads a 64-person staff responsible for federal and state advocacy efforts on behalf of the oil and natural gas industry, including multi-functional teams executing comprehensive policy campaigns, and will direct a grassroots operation of more than 24 million American voters from every state and congressional district.

“I am honored to join the industry leading the energy renaissance currently underway in this country,” said Finkel. “Oil and natural gas companies are an unparalleled engine of economic growth and job creation, and with the right public policies we can do even more to secure Americans’ energy future.”

Finkel currently serves as EVP of Government Affairs for the Grocery Manufacturers Association, where he led two come-from-behind statewide ballot initiatives in California and Washington, saving consumers billions of dollars in increased food costs. And he was one of the architects of the food and beverage industry’s recent collaborations with the White House on combating childhood obesity. Finkel has more than 20 years’ experience leading and directing public policy on energy issues. On Capitol Hill, he was a lead negotiator on the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act and served as chief of staff for the Science and Technology Committee under former Chairman Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.). He has advised oil and natural gas pipeline companies and other industry operators for two D.C. consulting firms.

API represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Its more than 600 members produce, process, and distribute most of the nation’s energy. The industry also supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy.

The E&P Division grew production by 23% to 48.4 Bcfe in the just-ended quarter. Within this growth, higher margin
Marcellus Shale
production increased 94% to 20.7 Bcfe. As a result of the Marcellus growth, rising gas prices, and rising liquids production, all-in unit margins increased 145% to
$1.89
per Mcfe from
$0.77
per Mcfe in the year-earlier quarter. Gas price realizations increased, year-over-year, to
$5.37
per Mcf from
$4.21
per Mcf, while oil/NGL/condensate decreased to
$53.95
per Bbl from
$60.20
per Bbl, as the production of NGLs expanded faster than oil and condensate. Our unhedged gas price realizations improved to
$5.71
per Mcf, versus NYMEX first-of-month settlements of approximately
$4.94
per MMBtu.

BP today announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2014. Underlying replacement cost profit1 for the quarter was $3.2 billion, compared with $2.8 billion for the previous quarter and $4.2 billion for the first quarter of 2013. Operating cash flow in the quarter was $8.2 billion.

Chevron Corp. (CVX) plans to run higher-sulfur Alaskan and Middle Eastern crudes when it completes work at Northern California’s largest refinery in 2016, not the Bakken oil helping spur the U.S. path to energy independence.

San Francisco, CA – The architect of New York’s local fracking ban strategy is being awarded the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize today. Helen Holden Slottje, an attorney from Ithaca, NY, is one of six grassroots environmental activists from around the globe being honored by the Goldman Environmental Foundation. Recipients of the Goldman Prize, often referred to by those in the environmental movement as the ‘Nobel Prize for environmentalists,’ are each awarded a $175,000 cash prize.

HOUSTON
,
April 24, 2014
/PRNewswire/ --
Noble Energy, Inc.
(NYSE: NBL) announced today first quarter 2014 net income of
$200 million
, or
$0.55
per diluted share on total revenues of
$1.4 billion
. Excluding the impact of certain items which would typically not be considered by analysts in published earnings estimates, first quarter 2014 adjusted income(1) was
$298 million
, or
$0.82
per diluted share. Discretionary cash flow was
$870 million
and net cash provided by operating activities was
$929 million
. Capital expenditures for the first quarter 2014 totaled
$951 million
.

North Dakota confirmed Thursday the discovery of a new radioactive dump of waste from oil drilling, and separately a company hired to clean up waste found in February at another location said it removed double the amount of radioactive material originally estimated to be there.

Washington, DC, April 24, 2014 ─ American voters of all political affiliations overwhelming support building the Keystone XL pipeline, according to new polling conducted for API by Harris Poll, API Downstream Operations Senior Manager, Refining and Oil Sands Cindy Schild told reporters this morning.

“Numerous polls have demonstrated strong voter support for the pipeline, but this latest poll also examines the potential political consequences of failure to act on Keystone. Ninety-five percent of voters believe the federal government should focus on energy issues including 70 percent who describe energy as ‘very important.’ Eight in ten voters indicate their vote in the upcoming election will be influenced by a politician's stand on energy issues while almost seven in 10 (68 percent) report they would be more likely to support a candidate who supports approving Keystone XL.

“If the energy security benefits of Keystone XL weren’t obvious already, the Ukrainian crisis demonstrates the consequences for nations unable to secure a reliable flow of energy. The U.S. has the ability to obtain 100 percent of our liquid fuel supply from stable North American sources within 10 years.

“Unfortunately, President Obama has decided to side with a billionaire activist and a handful of shrill extremists instead of the thousands of skilled American workers who have been shut out of the good paying jobs KXL would provide. The president’s lack of political leadership is hurting middle class Americans. If the White House refuses to heed the analysis of its own State Department and the will of American voters, it’s up to Congress to act on behalf of the American people and approve Keystone XL. It will create thousands of American jobs, and increase our energy and national security.”

The nationwide telephone poll, conducted by Harris Poll, among 1000 registered voters also found that:

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 25, 2014--
MarkWest Energy Partners, L.P.
(NYSE: MWE) (“MarkWest” and “the Partnership”) today announced that
Keith E. Bailey
has elected to retire from the Board of Directors of the Partnership’s General Partner,
MarkWest Energy GP, LLC
, effective
June 6, 2014
, the date of the Partnership’s 2014 Annual Meeting of Common Unitholders. Mr. Bailey has served as a member of the Board of Directors since
January 2005
. Mr. Bailey is currently serving as Chairman of the Board’s Compensation Committee and is also on the Board’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

Four environmental advocacy groups filed to intervene formally in Sunoco Pipeline L.P.'s application for public utility corporation status, which would exempt its 299-mile Mariner East pipeline to Marcus Hook from local zoning codes, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The Delaware Riverkeeper Network, the Clean Air Council, the Pipeline Safety Coalition and the Mountain Watershed Association filed requests by Monday's deadline with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to intervene in the case.

Washington, D.C. — Some 182,000 petitions have been delivered to the U.S. Senate to urge it to reject plans to dramatically expedite exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia have prompted some members of Congress to push to export LNG overseas, but doing so will lead to increased fracking in the United States, subjecting American communities to the public health, economic and environmental risks associated with the practice.

From Pensylvania's Department of Environmental Protection on Wednesday:

PITTSBURGH -- The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today issued a report concluding that no pollutants that would indicate a potential health concern for local residents or emergency responders were found as a result of the Greene County Chevron well fire incident.

One of the country's major providers of hydraulic fracturing services plans to begin disclosing all the chemicals it uses in "fracking" fluid, without exceptions for trade secrets.

The policy of Baker Hughes Inc., rolled out quietly on its website, is a split with competitors, prominent industry trade groups and even some regulators. It tracks with the recommendation of an Obama administration panel looking at FracFocus, the website where most companies report their fracking chemicals.

PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--EQT Corporation (NYSE: EQT) today announced first quarter 2014 net income attributable to EQT of $192.2 million, or $1.26 per diluted share, compared to first quarter 2013 earnings of $100.3 million, or $0.66 per diluted share. Adjusted earnings, excluding $22.3 million of hedging ineffectiveness, were $206.6 million, or $1.35 per diluted share – which was 214% higher than first quarter 2013 adjusted earnings of $65.5 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, excluding $35.0 million from discontinued operations. Operating cash flow in the quarter was $481.9 million, compared to $306.2 million; and adjusted cash flow per share was $3.16, compared to $2.03. The Non-GAAP financial measures are reconciled in the Non-GAAP Disclosures section of this news release.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 23, 2014--
Hess Corporation
announced today it has sold its interests in both the Sinphuhorm and
Pailin Fields
located in
Thailand
to
PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited
for a total after-tax consideration of approximately
$1.0 billion
, effective
July 1, 2013
. Together, the two assets produced an average of 17,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day net to Hess in 2013.

OKLAHOMA CITY
,
April 23, 2014
(GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
Gulfport Energy Corporation
(Nasdaq:GPOR) ("Gulfport") today announced that its Board of Directors has concluded its nationwide search with
Preng & Associates
for a Chief Executive Officer. The Board is pleased to announce that
Michael G. Moore
has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer and has joined the Company's Board of Directors and
J. Ross Kirtley
has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer. In addition, following a concurrent search for directors also led by
Preng & Associates
,
Michael S. Reddin
has been appointed to the Company's Board of Directors.

Columbus, Ohio, April 17, 2014 ─ Strong bipartisan majorities of registered Ohio voters support increased investment in energy infrastructure, according to a new poll that API-Ohio is unveiling as part of a campaign highlighting the voices of Americans.

“Today’s poll shows strong majorities of Ohio voters support more domestic oil and natural gas development, regardless of party affiliation,” said Christian Zeigler, executive director of API-Ohio, “Forward-looking policies that allow the United States to capitalize on its bright energy future are imperative for this nation to realize its job creation and economic potential.

“The people of Ohio get it; America’s economic future, the availability of affordable and reliable energy, depends on the policies created today.”

The American Petroleum Institute (API) and API-Ohio will use social media, advertising and API’s grassroots resources of more than 24 million Americans to communicate the importance of America’s energy future to members of Congress, the administration and elected officials at every level of government.

The state-wide telephone poll, conducted for API by Harris Poll among 600 registered Ohio voters also found that:

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is the sole regulator of the horizontal hydraulic fracturing (fracking) industry which includes the permitting of not only fracking itself, but the disposal of its toxic and radioactive waste. As fracking continues to grow in the state, so does the amount of waste, including toxic liquids, solids and semi-solid waste, which is also radioactive to varying degrees. As fracking in Ohio produces millions of gallons of liquid and tons of solid waste, it also accepts frack waste from other states such as Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The ODNR issues permits for the disposal of this waste in Class II injection wells, solid waste dump sites and through various processing and recycling facilities.

“America is leading the world in reducing greenhouse gasses thanks, in part, to the revolution in natural gas production,” said Cikanek. “This latest report shows that emissions dropped an additional 3.4 percent from 2011 to 2012, and emissions are down 10 percent since 2005. Innovations in hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling have helped make the U.S. the largest producer of natural gas in the world, and these technologies are a great example of how we can grow the economy, create jobs, and protect the environment.”

API is the only national trade association representing all facets of the oil and natural gas industry, which supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy. API’s more than 600 members include large integrated companies, as well as exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms. They provide most of the nation’s energy and are backed by a growing grassroots movement of more than 20 million Americans.

HOUSTON
,
April 15, 2014
/PRNewswire/ --
Gastar Exploration Inc.
(NYSE MKT: GST) ("
Gastar
") reported today that production from its
Marshall County, West Virginia
operations has resumed with no restrictions following the successful re-routing of natural gas volumes through the Williams operated midstream system and the return to service of the pipeline that transports condensate from the field to processing facilities.
Gastar
currently has 50 wells producing, with seven additional wells temporarily shut-in due to drilling and completion operations on the producing well pads. Current gross average daily production is approximately 67 million cubic feet per day of unprocessed natural gas and 1,900 barrels of condensate.

Methane levels from natural gas wells in Pennsylvania were 100 to 1,000 times higher than federal regulators had estimated, according to a new study released on Monday by the National Academy of Sciences.

After expanding once its petrochemical facility in Sarnia, Canada, to use Marcellus Shale ethane, Nova Chemicals is now looking at a second expansion that will use more Marcellus and Utica shale production to feed its growing operations, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The company plans to spend between $250 million and $400 million to expand its capacity 20 percent by 2018.

HOUSTON
,
April 14, 2014
/PRNewswire/ --
EV Energy Partners, L.P.
(Nasdaq: EVEP) and
EnerVest
today announced the following organization changes:
Terry Wagstaff
will assume the position of Vice President of Acquisitions and Engineering at EVEP. He will report to
Mark Houser
, EVEP President and CEO.
Ron Gajdica
is resigning as Senior Vice President of Acquisitions of EVEP, effective April 30.

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 14, 2014--
Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P.
(NYSE: KMP) today announced that KMP’s
Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company
(TGP) has awarded
Antero Resources
(NYSE: AR) 100 percent of the capacity offered in TGP’s binding open season for its proposed Broad Run Flexibility and Broad Run Expansion Projects. The open season, which closed April 11, totaled 790,000 dekatherms per day (Dth/d) for long-term firm capacity for 15 years on the Broad Run Lateral in
West Virginia
and on TGP’s 100 and 500 mainlines. Anticipated capital cost of the projects totals approximately
$782 million
, which includes horsepower and piping modifications at existing stations, and one new compressor station on the Broad Run Lateral, all in
West Virginia
; two new TGP mainline compressor stations in
Tennessee
and
Kentucky
; and modifications to five existing mainline compressor stations in
Kentucky
.

WASHINGTON, April 10, 2014 – Estimated U.S. oil well completions remained relatively flat in the first quarter of 2014 compared to year-ago levels, according to API's 2014 Quarterly Well Completion Report, First Quarter.

“America’s oil and natural gas industry continued record production in the first quarter thanks in large part to access on private and state lands,” said Hazem Arafa, director of API's statistics department. “Additional access to our own vast energy resources and streamlined federal permitting would allow for more opportunities to produce U.S. energy while creating more American jobs and generating more revenue for our government."

Estimated oil well completions declined slightly by 2 percent in the first quarter compared to year-ago levels, and estimated natural gas completions declined by 1 percent. The estimated total number of wells drilled decreased by 1 percent and total footage drilled decreased by 2 percent.

(Columbus, OH--April 11, 2014)--The Ohio Department of Natural Resources sent shock waves across the nation today when it concluded that the fracturing, or "fracking," of a horizontal gas well last month in Poland Township near Youngstown may have caused a series of small earthquakes nearby.

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio– After one month of denying any link existed between recent earthquakes in Poland Township and nearby fracking activity – and over two years after the first round of major earthquakes hit the Mahoning Valley – officials at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources finally acknowledged today that the state’s current permitting procedures for fracking are exceedingly lax.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources on Friday announced that recent earthquakes in Mahoning County were likely caused by hydraulic fracturing or fracking.

The state ordered a indefinite moratorium on fracking natural gas wells within three miles of the epicenter of earthquakes on March 10-11 in Poland Township southeast of Youngstown. There were five quakes of 2.0 or greater.

Washington, D.C. - “On Wednesday, the U.S. House’s Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy and Power voted in favor of a bill to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) abroad under the guise of aiding Ukraine. But this bill, H.R.6, would only serve to increase profits for the oil and gas industry, greatly accelerating fracking here at home, endangering American communities, public health and the climate. We strongly recommend that both houses of Congress reject any and all plans to export LNG overseas.

WASHINGTON, April 9, 2014 ─ API President and CEO Jack Gerard applauded today’s vote on legislation to fast track U.S. exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG). The measure, H.R. 6, was approved by the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power.

“Today’s vote is just the latest signal that momentum for action on natural gas exports is stronger than ever,” said Gerard. “In the last few weeks, new proposals have won bipartisan support in both the House and Senate, and we are optimistic that members will come together on efforts to harness the full economic and strategic power of America’s energy exports. The U.S. is the world’s top producer of natural gas, and allies around the globe are looking to America for leadership on energy issues. Now is the time to tear down our own bureaucratic hurdles to trade, create thousands of new American jobs, and strengthen our position as an energy superpower.”

Introduced by Rep. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), the Domestic Prosperity and Global Freedom Act would approve a backlog of over 20 export permits at the Department of Energy and expedite future permits for export to World Trade Organization (WTO) members. Related LNG proposals have received support from Senators Mark Udall (D-Colo.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Ala.), Mark Begich (D-Ala.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), and Mary Landrieu (D-La.), among others.

API is the only national trade association representing all facets of the oil and natural gas industry, which supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy. API’s more than 580 members include large integrated companies, as well as exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms. They provide most of the nation’s energy and are backed by a growing grassroots movement of more than 20 million Americans.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s new “Today in Energy” brief looks at how natural gas accounted for over half of the increase in U.S. power plant generating capacity last year, with solar power coming in second.

PITTSBURGH AND WASHINGTON, D.C.///APRIL 8, 2014///The Environmental Integrity Project (EIP), on behalf of PennEnvironment, the Responsible Drilling Alliance, the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, Clean Water Action, the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper, and PennFuture, asks Pennsylvania and EPA officials to initiate enforcement against EQT Production Company for discharges to ground and surface water at its hydraulic fracturing site in Duncan Township, Tioga County, PA. The events described in the letter stem primarily from a 5-million gallon leaking, unauthorized, waste impoundment that polluted Rock Run, a "Class-A Wild Trout" water, caused significant groundwater contamination, and resulted in vast swaths of dead and stressed vegetation. Discovered in May 2012, the impoundment leaked because there were over 100 holes and tears in the liner.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa.
,
March 31, 2014
(GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
Rex Energy Corporation
(Nasdaq:REXX) announced today that its bank group has unanimously voted to increase the company's borrowing base under the company's senior secured credit facility by 15% from
$325 million
to
$375 million
. In addition, the commitments by the bank group under the facility were raised from
$215 million
to
$375 million
. The increase in the borrowing base is the direct result of
Rex Energy's
continued success in its drilling program, increases to estimated ultimate recoveries (EUR) and strong growth in reserves and production. Under the terms of the credit agreement, the bank group re-determines the borrowing base semi-annually utilizing the bank's estimates of reserves and future oil and gas prices.

In the Annual Energy Outlook 2014 (AEO2014) Reference case, crude oil production rises from 6.5 million barrels per day (MMbbl/d) in 2012 to 9.6 MMbbl/d before 2020, a production level not seen since 1970. Tight oil production growth accounts for 81% of this increase, and sees its share of national crude oil production grow from 35% in 2012 to 50% in 2019. In the High Oil and Gas case, U.S. crude oil production reaches 11.3 MMbbl/d in 2019 and reaches 13.3 MMbbl/d in the mid-2030s.

The Center for Public Integrity reports that air emission spikes may not be recorded properly and that underestimates the scope of the problem in areas where natural gas drilling is under way, according to a new study.

A new study accepted for publication in Environmental Science & Technology takes a close look at the amount of certain air pollutants in the Barnett shale, a booming oil and gas region in North Texas. Using public monitoring data from 2010-2011, researchers from the University of Texas at Austin compared air pollution levels measured at a monitor surrounded by oil and gas operations to the levels that would be expected based on available emission estimates. The result brings to light that the emissions inventory from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for the Barnett Shale does not add up to the observations.

To read the ful story from the Environmental Defense Fund's Texas Clean Air Matters blog by Ramon Alvarez, click here.

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 4, 2014 – The Associated Petroleum Industries of Pennsylvania (API-PA), a division of the American Petroleum Institute, welcomed the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s (PUC) announcement today that more than $224 million will be distributed to local communities through the fees paid by natural gas producers under Act 13.

“Shale energy production is generating huge revenues for Pennsylvania – in addition to driving job growth,” said Stephanie Catarino Wissman, executive director, API-PA. “Pennsylvania has collected more than $220 million dollars from shale development fees for 2013 production. That translates into better roads, better housing, and better services for families and communities across the state.”

Under Act 13 of 2012, natural gas producers are required to pay a local impact fee which is deposited into the Unconventional Gas Well Fund. More than $630 million has been collected from 2012-2014, according to the PUC. These revenues have supported housing initiatives, highway and bridge improvements, and environmental programs.

“Shale energy development, made possible by hydraulic fracturing, has transformed Pennsylvania’s economic future,” said Wissman. “The oil and natural gas industry is investing in communities, providing new revenue for the government and delivering a long-term path to new jobs for Pennsylvania workers. With the right policies moving forward, energy development will mean good news for the commonwealth for many years to come.”

API-PA, a division of API, is the only national trade association representing all facets of the oil and natural gas industry, which supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy. API’s more than 580 members include large integrated companies, as well as exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms. They provide most of the nation’s energy and are backed by a growing grassroots movement of more than 20 million Americans.

Statement from Jack Shaner of the Ohio Environmental Council on Ohio tightening rules on fugitive emissions from gas drilling on Frday:

What you can't see can hurt you. That's why the Ohio Environmental Council is praising the Kasich administration for new state controls announced today to stop the leak of "fugitive" air emissions from oil and gas wells.

The FreshWater Accountability Project (FWAP) prevailed in court last week in a lawsuit initiated under Ohio’s Open Records Act to obtain the addresses of those who lease residential and commercial property from the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD). FWAP sought the records as public information in order to directly communicate with people whose property rights and values can be affected by the Muskingum District's huge lease deals for oil and gas fracking on public lands around the District's reservoirs. The MWCD denied the public records and lost the issue in court. The Fifth District Court of Appeals courts fined the MWCD and awarded attorney fees to FWAP as plaintiff.

The state of Ohio on Friday tightened up state rules on air emissions from natural gas-oil drilling.

Ohio became just the third state in the United States to target what are called fugitive emissions or releases of methane gas from valves, connectors and other drilling equipment in its large-scale Utica shale operations.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Duke Energy Corp. and Piedmont Natural Gas Company Inc. said Tuesday they want to invest in a new natural gas pipeline into North Carolina that can deliver more of the cheap fuel to customers and especially to new power plants run by the country's largest electricity company.

New York-based National Fuel Gas Co.’s first well drilled into a different shale formation on land that it controls in western Pennsylvania has shown promising results.

The Amherst-based energy company said the first well that it drilled into the Geneseo shale produced as much as 14.1 million cubic feet of gas per day, at its peak, and averaged 8.6 million cubic feet per day during its first 30 days of production.

OKLAHOMA CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 2, 2014--
Devon Energy Corporation
(NYSE:DVN) today announced that it has completed the sale of its Canadian conventional assets to
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
for
C$3.125 billion
. The company’s retained Canadian business will consist of its thermal heavy oil, Lloydminster and Horn River assets.

Ohioans are now saving between 65 to 129 percent on their heating bills, according to a report from the Toledo Blade. Unfortunately, many folks living outside of eastern Ohio rarely understand how important increased oil and gas development is on their daily lives. That is, until it impacts their pocket books.

How the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection handles those complaints has worsened the already raw and angry divide between fearful residents and the state regulators charged with overseeing the burgeoning gas drilling industry.

For instance, what does the agency's own manual for dealing with complaints tell workers to do if someone reports concerns about a noxious odor, but is not at that very moment experiencing the smell? "DO NOT REGISTER THE COMPLAINT."

What's more, even if there is a real-time alarm about the air quality in or around a home, the agency typically has two weeks to conduct an investigation. If no odor is detected when investigators arrive on the scene, the case is closed.

A recent report out by the Center for Biological Diversity, Earthworks and Clean Water Action, showing the connection between fracking operations and earthquakes, revealed that there are 87 active oil and gas wastewater injection wells within one mile of an active fault line, 350 wells within 5 miles and 834 wells within 10 miles. The fracking wells and wastewater injection wells are located throughout California -- not just on the Monterey Shale. There are also several fracking wells and wastewater injection wells around La Habra, CA, which was the center of last week's earthquake.

Following the earthquake that hit the Los Angeles area on March 18th, LA City Council members called for an investigation into whether the quake was connected to fracking operations. Other states are beginning to grapple with the looming earthquake threat as regulators from Kansas, Texas, Ohio and Oklahoma are coming together to develop plans to monitor and address the increased number of earthquakes. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, earthquakes in the central U.S. have increased by six times from 2000 to 2011.

HOUSTON, TEXAS--(Marketwired - March 31, 2014) - TransCanada Corporation (TSX:TRP) (NYSE:TRP) (TransCanada) today announced its ANR Pipeline system has secured almost 2.0 billion cubic feet a day (Bcf/d) of firm natural gas transportation commitments on its Southeast Main Line (SEML) at maximum rates for an average term of 23 years. Approximately 1.25 Bcf/d will commence in 2014, with the remaining volume commencing in 2015.

LONDON, UK (GlobalData), 1 April 2014 - Recent production surges and developments by major state-owned exploration companies show promise for China to meet its 2015 shale gas production goal, but its ambitious 2020 target remains distant and a shale gas ecosystem development has proven sluggish. The central government is therefore determined to reform the industry further with a series of policy updates, in its push to achieve shale gas commercialization, says an analyst with research and consulting firm GlobalData.

Washington, D.C. - For the first time, members of Congress today called upon EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy to “investigate and address the water contamination” in Dimock, Pennsylvania; Parker County, Texas; and Pavillion, Wyoming. In all three communities, EPA has previously withdrawn investigations into water contamination and stopped providing affected residents with clean drinking water. Eight Representatives, led by Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-17), made the request in a letter to Administrator McCarthy.

MERRILLVILLE, Ind.
,
March 31, 2014
/PRNewswire/ --
NiSource Inc.
(NYSE: NI) today announced that
Glen L. Kettering
has been named executive vice president and group CEO for the company's
Columbia Pipeline Group
(CPG) business unit, effective
April 1, 2014
. Kettering, currently
NiSource's
Senior Vice President for Corporate Affairs, had also been serving as interim CEO for CPG since
December 2013
.

DALLAS—March 20, 2014—EnLink Midstream Partners, LP (the “Partnership”) today announced the commencement of an underwritten public offering of 17,997,296 common units representing limited partner interests owned by GSO Crosstex Holdings LLC and certain of its affiliates (the “Selling Unitholders”). The underwriter may offer our common units in transactions on the NYSE, in the over-the-counter market or through negotiated transactions at market prices or at negotiated prices. The Partnership will not receive any proceeds from the offering of common units. The total number of outstanding common units of the Partnership will remain unchanged.